Brian Babylon

I thought you were in there.

It didn't happen.

I just saw Meryl Streep just shaking her head.

Yeah.

So you're saying women over 60 are a little judgy on younger women?

Anyone who thinks that using insect repellent will save their summer may want to listen up, or better yet, stay inside.

Research now suggests that the chemical DEET, widely used in insect repellents, may actually be attracting the mosquitoes.

In other words, the mosquitoes are learning through experience that where there's DEET, there's the possibility of a blood meal.

What's a blood meal?

You.

To a mosquito, you are nothing but a walking, talking bag of blood.

Researchers are impressed that mosquitoes can smell DEET with their food and still want to eat it, in the same way that humans can stand alongside drunk, sweaty tourists at a Las Vegas buffet, but still go back for seconds.

Matthew Riley, an engineer from Redmond, Washington, came to Southern California to get some sun.

He left knowing the exact date his startup would fail.

The woman who told him goes by the name of Miss Molly.

For the last two summers, Miss Molly has worked from a folding chair near Tower 14, reading prophecies in the sunburns of strangers.

The burn tells me something, Ms.

Molly said.

Mostly bad things.

It's summer.